12-year Sentence Ordered In Drug Case

NEW BRITAIN — A man who operated a drug factory out of a rented garage and guarded it with attack dogs was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison.

Victor Paradis, 29, apologized to his weeping family in New Britain Superior Court as he was led away to begin serving his term.

There were no tears shed by Judge Susan B. Handy, who said Paradis was the largest-scale dealer ever to come into her courtroom.

Police confiscated $108,000 in cash, 6 pounds of marijuana, 30 ounces of cocaine, some steroids and drug equipment during a raid in August 2001 of a home and garage Paradis used on 205-207 Bassett St.

Attack dogs were guarding the garage, which is near Northend Elementary School.

``There is no question in my mind, Mr. Paradis, that you were dealing in drugs and you were dealing in a big way,'' said Handy.

Handy sentenced Paradis to 20 years in prison, suspended after 12 years, and five years of probation, for possession of narcotics with intent to sell.

Paradis, of 116 Lowell St., had pleaded no contest Jan. 29 in exchange for a recommendation of a 12-year ceiling on his term behind bars. But, Paradis' Hartford defense lawyer, Nicholas Cardwell, is appealing Judge Howard Owens' ruling on the legality of police searches of the garage and the homes of Paradis and an associate, and the seizure of drugs and cash.